New Gear Day: Vintage Paul Brett Parlour

[mellowsun]

I saw this little beauty in Ivor Mairants on Saturday and had to have a play.

http://www.ivormairants.co.uk/vintag...ur-guitar.html



It sounded great, really lively, vocal little guitar that responds to both hard and soft touch. Even more amazing was how good the under-saddle Fishman pickup sounded. I couldn't put it down. It loves opening tunings and the intonation is spot on - better than some guitars costing 4 times the price.

I tried out a few other guitars there: the Vintage Gordon Giltrap signature looked nice but ha a fair few QC issues (tbh it looked unfinished) and didn't sound great to me, and a Guild OM which sounded surprisingly dead.

I ended up getting the parlour for a good price (£379) and it comes with a nice semi-hard case. It's a nicely made guitar, the only small issue is the nut could do with being finished a bit better (some sharp edges). The electronics are nicely done - no ugly plastic battery compartment or panel on the top bout, just a couple of discreet thumbwheels inside the soundhole.

Wouldn't be surprised if this guitar becomes the go-to parlour for under a grand. While it doesn't look quite as pretty as the Faith Mercury parlour, or built to quite the high standard of the Tanglewood TW73, it sounds much, much better imho.

[imported_nitefly]

Ah, looks very tasty. I like the idea of a parlor shape with a 14-fret join. I see there's a 12-string too. Good score!

Cheers,
Al.

[bertie]

is it all solid Phil ? Not sure about the 14th fret........is the scale the same as on a 12th ?

EDIT

sorry, should have said this first -- GOOD GAS, and it does look an absolute cracker

[mellowsun]

is it all solid Phil ? Not sure about the 14th fret........is the scale the same as on a 12th ?

Hi bertie, yes it's all solid: spruce top, rosewood back and sides, nice maple binding too. It's a bit of a hybrid guitar: it has a full scale length of 649mm, so not a typical parlour there, but that works really well for me.

Will post a video later in the week so you can hear how it sounds.

[Wonks]

If it wasn't raining I'd walk down there and try one out myself. Maybe tomorrow lunchtime.

[BigLicks67]

I've just checked out Paul Brett's video and it looks like a lot of guitar for the money. What made you decide on a Parlour?

[mellowsun]

What made you decide on a Parlour?

I used to have a Tanglewood TW73 parlour but I sold that as the narrow neck width was hard to get on with. I'd toyed with the idea of getting a replacement: tried a Faith Mercury but that sounded pretty boxy to me.

Just happened to pop into Mairants on Saturday and saw the Vintage, had a play on it and thought it was just too good to pass up.

[bertie]

I've just checked out Paul Brett's video and it looks like a lot of guitar for the money. What made you decide on a Parlour?

cos they are theeeee most comfortable to play, and get a well made one and they can bely their diminuttive size.

If you're predominantly a pic strummer, then they might not be for you, but if, like me you're a 99% finger player - they are very very hard to beat

I have a parlor and a large OM sized acoustic (and a dread, but I got that donkeys years ago !! ) my parlor is my "go to " guitar and its a Faith (which I got for a very very good price off another forumite), but I dont find at all boxy, (even tho its 12th fret join and short scale) its very loud and projects wonderfully tho it does have a pig ugly headstock so Id be very interested to play/hear/see the Vintage (not from its electronics tho)

[BigLicks67]

I've always been tempted to get one. I have a cheap classical that has really great tone and is nicely balanced. I tried a New Yorker years ago and liked it (not sure if that's a 12th fret/14 fret). I've heard that 12 fret guitars have a sweet spot. I can see I'm going to have to get down to the music shop and have a go on one.

Here's a link if you want to see one - the guy looks a bit of a character :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8vvIrWTb0AU

[bertie]

the 6 sounds really good, dont like the 12 (then again I dont really like 12s full stop ) Im worried that if I play one, I may want one..........